NICKY HENDERSON’S dream Cheltenham Festival double has taken a major step closer to reality.
And it could be good karma for the legendary handler after he came to the aid of Sprinter Sacre.
Seven Barrows boss Hendo stepped in to foot all vet bills for his iconic former horse after he got injured out in the field.
Then, as if the gods were looking down on him 24 hours later, saw the odds on his Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Old Park Star and Arkle fav Lulamba tumble as a result of what happened in Ireland.
First Willie Mullins declared then pulled Kopek Des Bordes from this Saturday’s Irish Arkle at Leopardstown.
Then bookies pushed out Gordon Elliott’s Supreme hope El Cairos after yet another blunder at the last.
Elliott’s impressive two mile novice hurdler took a tumble with a 2m maiden at his mercy at Christmas.
And though he won showing a fine turn of foot at Thurles on Thursday, bookies Paddy Power pushed him out to 11-2 from 9-2 for the Cheltenham opener with those frailties coming to the fore again.
At the same time they shortened Henderson’s Old Park Star into 2s from 9-4 fav.
Henderson will be dreaming of landing the first two races at March’s Festival.
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The plan for Kopek Des Bordes ‘at the moment’ is go straight to Cheltenham and attempt to win the Arkle after one run over fences.
Further runs at Aintree and Punchestown are then the goal.
But his extended recovery from a minor knee procedure has only served to harden Lulamba’s position at the head of the market.
He is now as short as 5-4 to take the 2m Grade 1.
The Hendo treble would have been the one leaving all bookies fearing the worst had it not been for Sir Gino’s unfortunate injury.
He was likely to go off evens or possibly odds on for the Champion Hurdle.
Of course, Henderson still has Constitution Hill for the race – and his prep will come on the Flat at Southwell on February 20.
Thankfully, jockey Nico de Boinville recently gave this positive update on Sir Gino’s condition.
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